Allegations of abuse of dead child date back to 1995

Allegations of abuse, neglect date back to 1995Authorities had investigated family of dead child, 9, numerous times

Fort Worth Star-telegram

Published 5:30 am, Wednesday, July 28, 2004

ARLINGTON - Davontae Williams was 2 months old when the allegations of abuse began.

In August 1995, Child Protective Services investigated Davontae's mother, 14-year-old Marcella Williams, after someone reported that she was neglecting to watch her baby. Caseworkers found no reason to take Davontae out of the home but monitored Williams for six months before closing the case.

It would be the first of six CPS investigations into allegations of neglect, emotional and physical abuse at the Williams' home. Monday, Davontae, 9, was found dead at his Arlington home, emaciated and covered with cuts and bruises.

Marcella Williams, now 23, and her partner, Lisa Ann Coleman, 28, were arrested, and each faces charges of injury to a child.They remain in the Arlington Jail with bail set at $200,000 each.

A Child Protective Services spokeswoman said Tuesday that the agency had attempted to work with Marcella Williams for years but that she would move her family to avoid contact with caseworkers.

Williams called 911 just before 8 a.m. Monday to report that her son had been ill and had stopped breathing. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Based on the child's injuries and witnesses' statements, police believe Davontae had at times been put in restraints or locked in a pantry inside his mother's apartment.

The Tarrant County medical examiner's office has ruled Davontae's death a homicide.

In October 1999, when Davontae was 4, CPS workers placed him and his 1-year-old sister in a foster home while investigating allegations of physical abuse against Williams. She got the children back a year later after completing the agency's proper requirements.